Is there any any guideline that works 100% of the time that will help the thought process to determine if a card targets or not?

Why is the effect of Berserk Gorilla being destroyed (if in DEF) considered a continuous effect when a similar effect of Spirit Reaper being destroyed if targeted not continuous effect ?

(Spirit Reaper if targeted must wait until all effects have resolved but Berserk Gorilla can be destroyed mid chain)

1. Unfortunately there really isn't anything that is 100% accurate at determining targeting cards. However, a system that is about 95% accurate is cards that have the text "Select 1 Card" or "Destroy 1 Card" in its text. Some other texts that are specific to their resolution, such as Sakuretsu Armor's "Destroy the attacking monster." also lend to indicating if they are targeting.

Effects that are considered non-targeting require your opponent to select a card (As in Creature Swap) or find a card at resolution (such as Smashing Ground's "Destroy 1 monster with the highest DEF on your opponent's side of the field").


The best bet is to check out RONIN/Netrep or UDE FAQ on cards that are questionable. Most of the time they will indicate if the card is targeting or not.

2. Hmm, can you give me a specific example on Spirit Reaper? I'm checking out RONIN and I'm not quite reading it that way. For example, the rulings...

When "Spirit Reaper" is targeted by an effect, "Spirit Reaper" is destroyed by its own effect AFTER resolving the effect that targeted it. For example, if "Spirit Reaper" attacks and "Magic Cylinder" is activated, designating "Spirit Reaper", first "Magic Cylinder" will resolve, negate the attack, and inflict 300 damage to the controller of "Spirit Reaper". Then, after that, "Spirit Reaper" is destroyed by its effect.


"Spirit Reaper" is destroyed by its own effect after a card that targets it resolves. If a Spell Card targets it, and the activation of that Spell Card is negated (such as with "Magic Jammer"), then "Spirit Reaper" is not destroyed. However, if the effect of the Spell Card was negated, such as if "Imperial Order" is active, then "Spirit Reaper" is destroyed because the Spell Card resolves (even though its effect is negated). Even if "Imperial Order" is already active on the field, you can activate a card such as "Tribute to the Doomed" designating "Spirit Reaper", and "Spirit Reaper" will be destroyed by its own effect.

Inidcates to me that Spirit Reaper could be destroyed mid-chain if the conditions were met properly. For example, let's say the following happens.

Player A declares and attack with Spirit Reaper.
Player B activates Mirror Force.
Player A chains Royal Decree.
Player B chains Raigeki Break, discarding a card, targeting Spirit Reaper.
Player A chain Royal Decree.

Crazy, I know, but bear with me. When we resolve backwards, Royal Decree comes into play, negating the effects of trap cards. Raigeki Break has its effect negated, but not its activation.

At this point Spirit Reaper's effect will resolve since it was the target of a trap card and the trap card's activation was not negated (only its resolution).

Next the other Royal Decree goes to resolve, but has its effect negated. Finally Waboku's effect is negated. However, Spirit Reaper is no longer on the field for damage calculation, so the attack stops at this point.

If there is another ruling I'm missing here, please let me know.

My mistake saying "Chain Fully Resolved" instead of "AFTER resolving the effect that targeted it".

Ok, the difference is that Berserk Gorilla needs to have the effect of being put into defence position actually happen where as the targeting of Reaper happens regardless of any effect negation.

Thanks. ;)

Yes, just remember, if the targeting effect's activation (such as Snatch Steal) is negated, say through Magic Drain, then the destruction of Spirit Reaper doesn't occur.

there really isn't any difference between berserk gorilla and spirit reaper, except for what causes them to be destroyed. effect negation saves berserk gorilla because it prevents him from going into defense. effect negation doesn't save spirit reaper because it doesn't prevent reaper from being targeted.

if the activation of the effect is negated though then reaper is safe.